Horticulture Help Desk opens April 15

Published: Saturday, April 6, 2013 5:30 a.m. CST

“I need help reading my seed catalog.“

“I’m not sure when to start seeds for my cool weather vegetables.”

“How will the drought affect my lawn?”

University of Illinois Extension DeKalb County Master Gardeners offer a free service answering garden questions such as these at the Horticulture Help Desk. The Horticulture Help Desk will be open from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday starting April 15, and 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday starting April 29.

Master Gardeners supply research-based answers to questions, and take time to find the information you need for your specific circumstance. Master Gardeners do not make house calls, but you may bring samples to the University of Illinois Extension DeKalb County office, located in the Farm Bureau Center for Agriculture building at 1350 W. Prairie Drive in Sycamore.

Reach the Master Gardeners by calling 815-758-8194 or by stopping at the office. You also can email uiemg-dekalb@illinois.edu. Master Gardener volunteers will ask some diagnostic questions and will call back after they have done their research. The Horticulture Help Desk is a free service.

Clients are encouraged to email or bring in photos or drop off samples of their troubled plants, trees or shrubs. Here are some helpful tips for collecting samples:

• Bring in or email photos of the plant. Be sure to include the surrounding environment.

• If possible, bring in the entire plant, especially if it is a vegetable, annual or perennial flower. Woody plant samples should be as large as practical. Collect samples from areas that are still alive and showing symptoms.

• Do not collect dead plants. Often their tissues have been invaded by other fungi and bacteria and the original pathogen is no longer detectable.

• Provide as much background and related information as possible. Make note of flooding, shade, environmental changes, pesticides used and fertilizer history. Watch for any observable patterns or uniformity.

• It may be necessary to wait until the plant blooms for a botanical identification.

• After collecting samples, do not expose them to direct sunlight. Keep them cool and do not allow them to dry out. Weeds tend to wilt quickly; consider placing them between two pieces of moist paper towel and bring them in as soon as possible.